SuperMicro Servers with Intel® Optane™ DC Persistent Memory Module Support

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides information about persistent memory support on SuperMicro servers.
Disclaimer:  The partner solution referenced in this article is a solution that is developed and supported by the partner. For more information, see https://www.supermicro.com/support/faqs/faq.cfm?faq=33576.

Resolution

Summary of server architecture, persistent memory components, and support information:

Server Architecture

For more information, see SuperServer 2029U-TR4T (Complete System Only)

Persistent Memory Components

Persistent Memory Modules

Persistent Memory Type	Module Description
Intel Optane Persistent Memory	128GB Intel Optane persistent memory 100 series
	256GB Intel Optane persistent memory 100 series
	512GB Intel Optane persistent memory 100 series

Configuration Maximums

Server Model	Supported CPU Series	Certified Maximum Capacity in App-Direct Mode (TB)	Certified Maximum Capacity in Memory Mode (TB)
SYS-2029U-TR4	Intel Xeon Platinum 8200 (Cascade Lake-SP) Series Intel Xeon Gold 6200/5200 (Cascade Lake-SP) Series	6TB	6TB
SYS-2049U-TR4	Intel Xeon Platinum 8200 (Cascade Lake-SP) Series Intel Xeon Gold 6200/5200 (Cascade Lake-SP) Series	12TB	12TB
SYS-2029BT-HNC0R	Intel Xeon Platinum 8200 (Cascade Lake-SP) Series Intel Xeon Gold 6200/5200 (Cascade Lake-SP) Series	6TB	6TB

Notes:

• All servers that support Intel Optane DC Persistent Memory supports the following NVDIMM Platform Capabilities:
  • Memory Controller Flush to NVDIMM Durability on Power Loss Capable
• The ACPI Specification 6.2 defines the NVDIMM Platform Capabilities in section 5.2.20.4: 
  1. CPU Cache Flush to NVDIMM Durability on Power Loss Capable
  2. Memory Controller Flush to NVDIMM Durability on Power Loss Capable
  3. Byte Addressable Persistent Memory Hardware Mirroring Capable

• The certified maximum persistent memory capacity is based on installed memory capacity.  There is a small difference between installed persistent memory capacity and the amount available to ESXi because the system reserves some memory for internal use. 
• App-Direct Mode is supported in vSphere 6.7 U2 + Express Patch 10(ESXi670-201906002) or later.
• Memory Mode is supported in
  • vSphere 6.5 U3 or later
  • vSphere 6.7 U2 + Express Path 10(ESXi670-201906002) or later
    • Earlier 6.7 releases are not supported.

Additional Configuration Details  

Support Information

vSphere Support for Intel Optane Persistent Memory 100 Series

Persistent Memory certified servers with Intel Optane persistent memory 100 series and 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors in select configurations, as documented in vSphere Support for Intel's Optane Persistent Memory (PMEM) are eligible for VMware support.
Balanced Profile optimizes Memory Mode performance by balancing the thresholds between DRAM and Intel Optane PMem to improve the bandwidth for all DRAM cache misses while maintaining the performance of DRAM cache hits. Balanced profile enabled BIOS has shown better performance in memory mode workloads.   For more information on balanced profile BIOS support, please contact your server vendor. 
Intel® Optane™ Persistent Memory 100 Series “Memory Mode” Production Deployment Advisory
Customers interested in using Intel’s Optane Persistent Memory 100 Series in “Memory” mode on the above-certified OEM servers with configurations not published in the Knowledge Base article vSphere Support for Intel's Optane Persistent Memory (PMEM) must contact VMware to file an intent for production deployment request.
At present, production deployment of unpublished configurations requires explicit approval from VMware for support. VMware will continue to work with its customers and ecosystem to adjust the criteria for production deployments. For more information, customers should contact the VMware representative.
Supermicro  Support Advisory
Supermicro BIOS 3.4 or later is required to support the Balanced Profile referenced in KB Sphere Support for Intel's Optane Persistent Memory (PMEM).

Troubleshooting and Best Practices

See Supermicro’s support page: https://www.supermicro.com/support/faqs/faq.cfm?faq=33576